Intolerance: candomblecist is prevented by evangelical family members from mourning his wife

Mencius Melo – From Cenarium Magazine

MANAUS – The candomblecist Ogan Herbert Jones Cardoso Lopes lost his companion Claudia Marcela Alves Bandeira, victim of an aggressive cancer, last Friday, 3. During the wake, which took place at the Recanto da Paz funeral home, in the City of God neighborhood, East Zone of Manaus, Herbert was prevented by evangelical relatives of his companion to wake and say goodbye to her following the rites of his religion. The act was considered racist and a commission formed by lawyers specialized in human rights intervened to guarantee that the Ogan could participate in the wake.

Besides being barred from the wake, Herbert Cardoso was also barred from the hospital during his companion’s terminal phase treatment. According to Pai Alberto Jorge, general coordinator of Articulação Amazônica de Povos Tradicionais de Matriz Africana (Aratrama), it was necessary to intervene to guarantee Cláudia’s partner the right to wake her.

“We were called by the Ogan and together we went to the place to take the necessary measures, since the atmosphere was tense, of clear violence based on ignorance and truculence based on a pretended religiosity. What, in fact, is racism”, he denounced.

Witchcraft

Alberto said that when they arrived at the health unit, the commission formed by him, representing Aratrama, and by the lawyers Robert Lincoln, Cristiano Chixaro and lawyer Luciana Santos were confronted and heard prejudiced accusations.

“In addition to Herbet being barred from the hospital, he was also forbidden to participate in the wake and burial, and the allegation of some family members was that Claudia’s death was caused by witchcraft, since she had accompanied her husband on visits to Candomblé and Umbanda temples,” he lamented.

According to Alberto Jorge, the negotiation atmosphere was tense at the funeral home. “There was good will from the funeral home’s administration. The contact between the commission and the family of the deceased was marked by tense moments and veiled threats, where the most radical family members admitted that only the Ogan Herbert had access to the wake, not being allowed to be accompanied by anyone else and not to perform any rites of his African religiosity. This was not accepted”, he explained.

Appeal

Still according to Alberto, the intransigence forced the commission to go to court. “The fact led the lawyer Robert Lincoln to make a police report (B.O), online, for crime of racism and religious intolerance practiced by the most exalted family members, and the lawyer Cristiano Chíxaro filed an action for an injunction to ensure that the Ogan Herbert could have access to the wake and burial, being able to perform the funeral rites of his religion”, he said.

In the end, the parties reached an understanding and Herbert Cardoso could say goodbye to his companion according to the rites of his religion. “After two hours of much conversation with several explanations about the effects of Law #14.532/23, signed by president Lula, which changed the Brazilian legislation in favor of those who suffer the crime of racial insult (and religious offenses), the most excited family members demonstrated they understood the implications and punishments of Laws #7.716/89 and #14.532/23,” she concluded. Cláudia Marcela Alves Bandeira was buried this Saturday afternoon.